Closing mechanism for electric switches



Dec. 8, 1931. J. D. woon 1,835,738

CLOSING MECHANISM FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Dec. 8, 1931. J. D. wooD CLOSING MECHANISM'FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed April 24, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 8, 1931. D, WOOD 1,835,738

CLOSING MECHANIS-M FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES y Filed April 24, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 -oasfaff l, 2# 24 o 3 MD.M (r1 DCC. 8,'1931. J, D WOOD 1,835,738

CLOSING MECHANISI FOR ELECTRIC SWITCHES Filed April 24, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 n urn-f.)

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH D.V WOOD, F WOLLASTON, -MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CONDIT ELECTRICAL (Ji v MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, 0F TION OF MASSACHUSETTS SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- CLOSING MECHANISM FOB ELECTRIC SWITCHES Application filed April 24, 1928. Serial No. 272,532.

This invention relates to closing mechanism for electric switches, the mechanism being of the type wherein a normally stressed spring is released to effect the closing of the switch and motor mechanism is provided to restress the spring to condition the mechanism for further closing operations.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a closing mechanism of the general type above set forth wherein the mechanism associated with the spring and with the switch is mechanically free from the restressing mechanism at the time the apparatus operates to close the switch so that the shock due to the closing action is isolated from the rcstressing mechanism.

A Jfurther object of the invention is the provision of closing mechanism having restressing mechanism for the operating spring which is so arranged that the mechanism can be reset for repeated closings more rapidly than has heretofore been the case whereby the switch can be repeatedly closed rapidly. To this end, the closing spring is arranged to J be stressed at each half revolution of a. crank shaft and locked relcasably in stressed position; and this constitutes a further object of the present invent-ion.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a motor-reset closing mechanism for an electric switch that shall be simple and compact so that it can be mounted as a face plate upon a switch panel.

Another object of the invention is the provision of closing mechanism having a switch operating member and a stored energy device operating said member and so arranged that said member is prevented from return to open position until after the stored energy device has been reset, thus permitting said member to return at full switch-opening speed.

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the construction and operation ot electrically reset closing mechanisms for electric switches.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the closing mechanism embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional detail taken along line 3 3 of Fig. l and showing the essential elements of the mechanism, the operating toggle for the switch being in the temporary overshot position in which it is placed during the closing operation and prior to its being moved to an undershot position by the resetting mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the toggle in an under shot position and the mechanism set for closing the switch.

F 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the switch tripped open but prior to the release of the switch handle.

Fig. 6 is a view of the mechanism in the switch open position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the closing mechanism in switch closed position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the closing mechanism set for operation in the opposite direction to Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a detailed front elevation of the spring or operating hub and the motor starting switch.

Fig. l0' is a of Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged plan view of the motor starting switch taken along line 11- l1 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail of the crank shaft and associated parts.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the commutator disc carried by the crank shaft.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation taken along line 1li-14 of the brake on the motor shaft and its operating magnet.

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 11.

Fig. 16 is a diagram of the circuit connections of the brake magnet, closing magnet and the spring-restressing motor and its control switches.

The closing mechanism here shown has its component parts mounted upon a frame consisting of a base plate 20 and an upright back plate 22. A bifurcated switch handle 24 is located at the upper portion of said supporting frame and is attached to a hub 25 which is xed on a rod 26 journalled in lugs section taken along line 10-10 Vio 28 which outstand forwardly from the back plate. Said hub has a depending ear 30 which is connected to a tensile spring 31, Fig. 1, that is also connected to the back plate and causes the handle to swing outwardly and downwardly or into some position Vas shown in Fig. 6 when the switchis opened. A latch frame 32 is pivoted at its rear-end on a pin 34 carried by the housing 36 of the back plate and has a latch roller 38 that ynormally engages a latch hook 40 carried bythe switch handle to hold the switch handle releasably in upright position and also to hold the switch closed.

The switch handle is provided with a pair of rearwardly extended links 42 which are pivoted on a pin 44 carried by the switch handle and are also pivotally connected by a pinY 46 with a pair of rearwardly extended switch rods 48 which extend through the back plate for connection with a switch of any suitable or desirable type not herein illustrated. c A pair of spaced cam plates 50,' see especially Fig.. 3,y are pivoted on a pin 52 carried by the backplate over the switch rods 42 and 48, and extend forwardly between arms of the'switch handle. Said cam plates are provided with low-er arcuate faces 54 which, in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, are struck about a center coincident with the turning axis of the switch handle.

The pin 46 is provided with rolls 56 which bear upon said arcuate face. VThecam plates 50 are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 and since the toggle formed by the links 42 and 48 tends to break in an upward direction, said plates prevent such movement of the toggle and thus hold the toggle in a straightened position and the switch closed. The plates 50 are held releasably in the aforesaid relation by a latch member 58 which is pivoted on a pin 60 carried bythe face plateand has a notch 62 in which the roller 64 of the cam plates is received. When the latch is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot pin 60to release the cam plate, the toggle formed by the switch links 42, 48 is free to break and due to the weight of the moving parts of the switch, or to other usual switch mechanism, the rods 48 are caused to move toward the left, Fig. 3, and linto a position shown in Fig. 5, the cam plates 50 moving upwardly undersuch movement.' After the switch has opened, the switch handle is adapted to be released and move into the position shown in Fig. 6. YTo this end, the handle locking latch frame 32 is provided with a downwardly extended arm 66 that is disposed beside one of thelinks 48. Said link carries a pin 68 which is adapted to engage said arm 66 during the latter part of the switch opening movement, thus to tilt the latch frame 32 upwardly and release the switch handle. The switch handle then moves outwardly and downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 6 by the action ofv switch closing movement by the latched cam plates' 50. Y

The latch 58 is adapted to be tripped electrically-and also manually. To this end, itY

is provided with rearwardly extended arm Y 70 which overlies a tripping plate 72 pivoted to the back plate at 74. g

The usual tripping electro-magnets are "contained within the supporting frame and are adapted to elevate the rods 76 one of which is shown in Fig. 2 into contact with said trippingl plate, thus to force it into engagement with and trip the latch. The latch can be tripped manually by means of an arm 78 which is Vpivoted on the pin 74 and has an extension 80 which can engage the tripping frame 72 and move it in a tripping direction. The arm 78 is operated by a rod 82 which is connected therewith and terminates in a knob 84, see Fig. 2, Vlocated at the front of the frame.

The mechanism so far described is complete in itself and is used independently of the motor-reset closing mechanism. The structure is characterized by the fact that all of the latches are carried by the fixed rigid frame and are thus free from the moving parts of the switch mechanism and are not likely to be tripped by any vibration resulting from-shock on the mechanism due to the closing operation of the switch. The structure above described is essentially as set forth and claimed in my cop/ending application Serial No. 334,809 filed January 24, 1929.

rlhe spring actuated closing mechanism with which this invention is more particularly concerned includes a plurality of coil springs 90 which are located beneath the bottom plate 20 of the supporting frame, provision being here made for three similar springs, although any desirable number of springs can be utilized. The forward ends of the springs are connected to a horizontal tension bar 92 which is screw threaded on a pair of bolts 94, see Figs. 1 and 2, that are loosely extended through the front of the frame and have a bearing thereon. By rotating the screws in the proper direction, the plate 92 can be. mov-ed forwardly or rearwardly to adjust the tension of the springs. The rear ends of the springs are received in annular grooves in a pin 96, see Figs. 2, 3 and 9, which is carried by a depending 98 of a hub 100 journalled on a pin 102 fixed in the-back plate of the frame. IThe hub 100 is provided with a forwardly extended arm 104 which carries at its outer end a transversely extended pin 106 links through which the thrust of the springs in closing the switch is transmitted. The thrust of said links is transmitted to the switch handle through a. toggle consisting of a pair of parallel links 112 pivoted at their 'forward ends on a pin 114 carried by a depending ear 116 of the handle hub 25. The rear ends of said links are pivoted on a pin 118 which connects them with a second pair of parallel links 120 which are pivoted at their rear ends on a pin 122 carried by the back plate. The upper ends of the links 110 are pi'roted on the pin 118 of the toggle. The toggle is arranged to break in a downward direction when the switch opens and assumes a position illustrated in Fig. 6.

The operation of the springs to close the switch is controlled by a toggle which` includes an upper pair of links 1247 the upper ends of which are located within the links 120 and are pivoted on a pin 126 carried by the back plate of the frame. A pin 128 is carried by the lower ends of said links and serves to connect them with the upper ends of a lower pair of links 130, which. comprises the other links of the toggle. The lower ends of said links 130 are connected through a screw threaded length-varying rod 132 with al yoke 134 which is pivoted at 136 to the arm 104 of the spring operated hub 100. The toggle comprising said sets of links 124 and 130, when set. serves to hold the springs in stressed condition and in an inactive position ready for operation.

The toggle is adapted to be broken alternately to the right and to the left and is adapted to release the springs for a switch closing operation each time the toggle yis broken. The toggle is held releasably in set condition by a latch arm 188 which is pivoted onv a pin carried by the back frame and underlies the toggle pin 128 and has a notch 142 therein in which the roller 144 on said Y pin is adapted to be received. The notch 142 is horizontally elongated so that the toggle roller can lie in Contact with either one of the opposite upstanding faces thereof to hold the toggle against breaking in either direction.

In Fig. 8. the toggle when released is adapted to break to the right. In Fig. 8, the toggle is adapted to break te the left. Said latch arm 138 is held yieldingly in toggle engaging position by ay compression spring 146 which bears against the arm and against the back plate of the frame.

The latch arm is adapted to be moved downwardly away from holding relation with the toggle, thus to release the mechanism for the closing movement of the switch, by a switch closing electro-magnet 148, the armature 150 of which is connected to the latch arm by a rod 152; Said electro-magnet is adapted normally to be n n-energized and the-spring 146 is adapted tohold the armature thereof in retracted position. The magnet when energized, however, is adapted to pull down the armature against the action of the spring.

Said toggles 124 and 180 also serve to stress the springs 90 under action of the resetting mechanism. The resetting mechanism includes a crank shaft 154 which is suitably journalled in a bracket 156 carried by the back plate. Said shaft has a crank arm 158 Fixed thereto and a crank pin 160 is carried by said arm. A pair of generally horizontally disposed links 162 are pivotally connected with the toggle pin 128 and have horizontally elongated slots 164 therein in which the crank pin 160 is received. The slotted lirks cooperate with the resetting mechamsm to reset the spring controlled mechanism and also to permit the mechanism to operate independently of the resetting mechaf nism as will presently appear.

The crank shaft is operated by means of speed reducing gearing comprising a large Ascar 166 iixed to the crank shaft which gear meshes with a pinion gear 168 fixed to a shaft 170 which is journalled in bearings 171 carried by the back plate and located below and to the rear of the crank shaft and the gear thereon. A worm gear 172 is lined to said shaft 170 and meshes with a worm 174 fixed to the shaft 176 of the resetting electric motor 178. It is apparent that when the motor rotates the crank shaft will be rotated at a reduced speed.

The operation is essentially as follows:

lhen the switch is closed the no rmal position of the various parts is as illust-rated in Fig. 4, the springs 90 being stressed and the toggle comprising the links 12.4 an-:l 180 being held in a straightened position and biased for movement toward the right. W'hen the switch is tripped open, the mechanism moves into the position shown in Fig. 6, the toggle comprising the links 112 and 120 collapsing in a downward direction and the switch closing links 110 moving downwardly so that the top walls of the slots 108 therein bear upon the pin 106 of the spring urged arm 104.

The switch and the mechanism can remain in this position until the closing magnet 148 is energized. This magnet can be energized in any desirable way to accomplish the immediate reclosing of the switch upon the opening thereof or the closing thereof after a suitable time delay and bv mechanism well understood iu the art. Vhen the closing magnet 148 is energized the latch 138 is pulled down thereby releasing the toggle comprising the links 124 and 180.

The springs 90 are thus released and contract and consequently rotate the arm 104 in a clockwise direction and thus move the switch closing links 110 upwardly and straighten the toggle comprising the links 112 andI 120, thus moving the operating L 'ingthe switch, the handle being lockedV in switch closed position by the handle locking latch 32. The toggle comprising the links 112 and 120 is moved upwardly into an overshot position and against the abutment Jface V184 of the lugs 28 of the back plate. During the closing movement oi' the mechanism, the links 162 travel to the rightl free et the crank pin 160 and without transmitting any shock or jar thereto. lVhen the switch is closed and the mechanism has completely operated, the various parts assume the position illustrated in Fig. 7. rllhe slots 164 in the links 162 are suliiciently elongated so that in the I a bracket 192 fixed to the backplate22 or" position shown in Fig. ?,.the crank pin 160 is clear of thebottom of the slots thus to permit the resetting motor to come up to full speed Vunloaded.

The resetting motor is not operated until the mechanism is completely operated and the motor is energized by means hereinafter described. The direction of rotation of the motor and crank shaft is immaterial.

ritter a short degree ot angular movement of the crank shaft sutiicient for the motor to come up to full speed, the crank pin engages the bottoms oi the slots 164 in the links 162 and thus pulls the links toward the left and straightens the spring holding toggle comprising the links 124, 130. When sai-d toggle is substantially straight, the latch 138 is moved upwardly by the spring 146 so that the toggle roller 144 falls into the notch 142 ot the latch, thus holding the toggle from collapse and the springs stressed. The toggle is moved suiiiciently to the left so that the roller engages the left hand side of the notch and the toggle is biased to break toward the left or in a direction opposite to the direction of its previous collapse. At this point, the circuit ot the resetting motor is opened and the resetting mechanism is stopped with the ycrank pin in a position which is 180o displaced rom its previous posit-ion or its posi-y tion as shown in Fig. 8.

During the last part of the resetting movement, the arm 104, in its downward movement, engages the bottomoi the slots 108 in the links 110 and moves the switch closing toggle comprising the links 112 and 120 downwardly over center or into a position shown in Fig. 8. yihe mechanism is thus reset and is in condition to close the switch when it next opens.

1n the next closing operation, the toggle comprising the links 124 and 130 will be straightened by movement towardthe right and the toggle will be held in straightened position to break toward the right as shown in Fig. 3. Y

The slots 108 in the links 110 are made suficiently long to provide tor the maximum extent ot operating movement of any switch with which the closing mechanism will be -in the bottom ot the links 110 andv extends upwardly and forms the bottom wall of the slots and is adapt-ed to "bear against the lpin 106 of the spring urged arm104. Y

'The circuit ofV the resetting motor 178 is controlled by a switch operated by the spring urged hub 100. This switch, Figs. 9, 10 and 11, includes the U-shaped member 188 secured to and insulated from the hub 100 and having the-spaced upstanding-plates 190. vThe stationary member of the switch comprises the trame and having on opposite sides thereof a pair of insulated plates `193 to which are pivoted 'spring-urged contact ingers 194. The plates 190 are movable on opposite sides of said Contact lingers as illustrated in Fig. 11 and make Contact therewith whereby to close the motor circuit when the hub 100 has been sniiiciently moved to complete the switch closing operation. rlhe movement of the hub in a switch closing direction is limited by the upstanding arm 196 thereof whichengages a boss198, Fig. 2, of the back plate.

After the motor is set in rotation, the Ycontrol of the motor circuit is removed from the above Vdescribed switch and transferred to a switch controlled by the motor.` This switch is best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. lt comprises essentially a commutator having an insulating .disc 200 fixed to the hub ci the gear 166 on the crank shaft 154. Said disc is provided with a pair of opposed and slightly/.less than semi-circular segments 202 carried on one face of the disc and-insulated from each other. rlfhe disc is cutaway to provide the slots 204 between .the proximate ends of the' segments to provide adequate insulation therebetween. A stationary insulating disc 206 is carried by the bracket 156 of `he crank shaft and has a pair of diametrically opposed contact orY brush members 208 therein which are urged against said seg-l ments by the springs 210. rlhe commutator segments 202 are bridged and electrically connected by a bridging plate 212, Fig..13, l0- cated at the rear tace of the insulating disc The contact or brush members 208 are in parallel with the contact members 194 Voi the switch controlled by the spring urged hub 100. The gaps between the ends of the commutator segments are diammentrically opposedv and are in line with the crank pin 160. rlChe arrangement is such that, after the motor has come up to speed, the motor circuit is completed through the commutator in parallel with the closing-mechanism controlled switch so that theV latter switch can subsequently open without interrupting the motor circuit. Vhen the crank pin has rotated 180, however, the contact members 208 ride off the commutator segments and thus interrupt the motor circuit and the crank shaft is caused to stop after the crank pin has rotated approximately 180.

A brake mechanism is provided to bring the motor and its associated rotative parts quickly to rest after the motor has been deenergized thus to prevent over-travel of the crank shaft. The brake mechanism is shown in Figs. 1,2, 14 and 15 and includes an electromagnet 216 having a pivoted armature 218 which is normally urged upwardly away from the pole faces of the magnet by a spring 220. Said armature is connected with a depending lever 222 that is pivoted to one end of a resilient brake strip 224 which encircles a brake drum 226 fixed to the motor shaft. The other cud of the brake strip is fixed to a lug 228 of the arm of the electro-magnet. The inner face of the brake strip has a friction lining 230 which is adapted to engage the brake drum. f

The arrangement of the brake and the electro-magnet is such that when the electromagnet is de-energized, the spring 220 brings the brake lining into engagement with the brake drum or sets the brake,and thus holds the motor against rotation. The electromagnet is arranged in series with the motor control switch and commutator and in parallel with the motor so that itis energized and cle-energized concurrently with the motor. As thus arranged, when the motor is energized the brake is immediately released thus to permit the motor to rotate freely. Then the motor is de-energized the brake is immediately set thus to stop the motor.

The closing mechanism herein shown and described is particularly effective in closing t-he switch quickly and positively without ar or shock to the rotative parts of the resetting mechanism and also without unnecessary shock to the switch mechanism since the toggle comprising the links 112, 120 reduces the speed of closing atthe time the contact members of the switch are brought into engagement.

The circuit connections of the brake and clos magnets and the motor and its control switches are illustrated in Fig. 16, and need not be further described.

I claim: f

1. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a switch actuating member, an operating toggle for said actuating member, spring urged mechanism for straightening said Ltoggle and operating said switch actuating member, and resetting mechanism responsive to the switch closing movement of said siliring' urged mechanism for resetting said spring urged mechanism independently of corresponding movement ot said toggle.

2. vClosing mechanism for electric switch mechanism comprising a switch actuating member, a toggle for operating said member, spring urged mechanism having a lost motion connection with said toggle arranged for movement in one direction to straighten said toggle and actuate said actuating member and for movement in the opposite direction free from said toggle, and resetting mechanism to move said spring urged mechanism in a resetting direction free from said toggle.

3. Closing mechanism ior an electric switch comprising a switch actuating `member, means to lock said member releasably in switch closed position, a toggle for operating said switch actuating member, spring urged closing mechanism for straightening said toggle and actuating said actuating member, said toggle adapted to be moved into an overshot position in one direction, resetting mechanism to reset said spring urged mechanism and a lost motion connection between said spring urged mechanism and toggle arranged to break said toggle 'during the latter part of said resetting movement of said closing mechanism.

4. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a switch actuating member, means to hold said member releasably in switch closed position, a toggle for operating said actuating member arranged to be straightened to close the switch, a slotted link connected with said toggle, a sp1-in urged arm operable in said slot of said link and movable in one direction to straighten said toggle and effect the closing of the switch and movable in the opposite and resetting direction in said slot free from said toggle, said arm being engageable with the bottom of Said slot at the latter part of its resetting movement to break said toggle.

5. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction to effect the closing of the switch and movable in the opposite direction to effect the restressing of its spring, and a toggle for holding said member releasably in spring stressed position, said toggle having means by which it is collapsed alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member for successive switch closing movements.

6. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring member movable in one direction to effect the closing of the switch and movable in the opposite direction to effect the restressing of its spring, a toggle for holding said member releasably in spring stressed position., said toggle being arranged to be collapsed alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member for successive switch closing movements, and a latch engageable with said toggle to hold it releasably in straightened position, said latch having two opposed abutments against each one of which said toggle is adapted alternately to bear and be restrained for collapse alfternately in opposite directions upon release of said latch.

`'7. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction to effect the closing of the switch and movable in the opposite direction to effect the restressing of its spring, a togglefoi holding said member releasably in spring stressed position, said toggle ybeing arranged to'be collapsed alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member for successive switch closing movements, and a ,latch engageable with said toggle to hold it releasably in straightened position, said latch having two opposed abutments against each one of which said toggle is adapted alternately to bear and be restrained for collapse alternately in opposite directions upon release of said latch and electro-magnetic means con-V trolling Vthe release of said latch.

8. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged switch closing member movable in a switch closing direction under urge of its spring and movable in the Vmeansv releasably to hold said actuating member in switch closed position, a toggle connected with said actuating member adapted toi-be straightened to eifect the closing of the switch, a spring urged switch closing member lhaving a lost-motion connection with said! toggle adapted to straighten said toggle under urge of its spring and close said switch and move in the opposite and spring restressing direction free from said toggle, and a holding toggle connected with said spring urged member arranged to be set to hold said member in spring stressed condition against operation.A Y

lO. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a'switch actuating member, means releasably to hold said actuating member in switchr` closed position, a. toggle connected with said actuating member adapted tobe straightened to effect the closing of the switch, a spring urged switch closing' member having a lost-motion connection with said toggle adapted to straighten said toggle' under Vurgerof Vits spring and close said switch `and move inthe opposite and spring restressing direction free from said toggle, and a holding toggle connected with said spring urged member arranged to be set to hold said member in spring stressed condition against operation, said holding toggle arranged to be broken alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member, and means to hold said'toggle releasably in set position against collapse in either direction.

l1. Closing mechanism for electric switch-l es comprising a spring urged meinberinovablein one direction to eilect the closing of the switch and movable in the opposite direction to effect the restressing of its spring, and resetting mechanism associated Ywith said spring urged member operable to move it in a spring resetting direction, said resetting mechanism having a lost-inotion connection with said spring urged member by which the spring urged member can move completely pendently of said resetting mechanism and without subjecting said mechanism-to shocks incident to switch closing, said spring urged member having means to limit its movement in a switch closing direction, said means ,be-

Vingl independent of the movable elements of said resetting mechanism. Y

12. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprisingY a springurged member movable in one direction to closethe switch and movable in the opposite direction independently Vof the-switch to restress its spring and resetting mechanism including a crank shaft and means operatively connecting said crank shaft and spring urgedmeinber by which said spring urged member is reset preparatory for switch closing movement at the end of each half revolution of said crank shaft in the same direction.

13. Closingmechani'smforelectric switches comprising an' oscillating spring urged member movable over center in one direction to close the switchv and movable over center in the opposite direction to restress its spring, resetting mechanism vfor said spring urged member including a crank shaft, means to rotate said crank shaft by steps of one half revolution successively in the same direction and an operative connection between said crank shaft-and spring urged member by whichA said member is reset for switch closing movement at each half revolution ofthe crank shaft. i

14. Closing mechanism ffor electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction-to close the switch and movable inthe opposite direction to stress its spring, resetting mechanism' for said spring urged member including a crank shaft rotatable one half revolution successively in the same direction by steps YtoA re- I tion free from said crank shaft.

into a switch'closed position entirely inde- 15. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring-urged member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to restress its spring, resetting mechanism for said spring urged member including a crank shaft whichv is rotatable one half revolution in successive steps to stress said spring, and mechanism operatively connecting said crank sha-ft with said spring urged member including a lost-motion connection therebetween by which said crank shaft can move said spring urged member in a resetting direction and by which said spring urged member can move in a reclosing direction free from said crank shaft.

1G. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a resetting member movable inone direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to restress its spring, resetting mechanism for said spring urged member including a crankshaft rotatable by successive steps in the same direction, a toggle connected with said spring urged member, and an operative connection between said crank shaft and said toggle by which said toggle is straightened by the operation of said crank shaft to set said spring urged member, said connection further characterized by permitting said toggle to collapse and said spring urged member to move in a switch closing direction free from said crank shaft.

17. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a resetting member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to rei stress its spring, resetting mechanism for said spring urged member including a crank shaft rotatable by successive steps in the same direction, a toggle connected with said spring urged member and an operative connection between said crank shaft and said toggle by which said toggle is straightened by the operation of said crank shalt to set said spring urged member, said connection further characterized by permitting said toggle to collapse and said spring urged niemeer to move in a switch closing direction free from said crank shaft, said toggle also constituting means to hold said spring urged memberV releasably in spring stressed position, and means releasably holding said toggle in setcondition.

18. Closing electric switches comp. ng au cs'ailat i* spr? urged member movable over center in one direction to close the switch and movable over center in the opposite direction to restress its spring, a normally set toggle holding said spring urged member in spring-st` ssed position, said toggle being biased for collapse to release said spring urged member for closing movement, latching means for holding said toggle releasably against collapse, ant

resetting mechanism for said spring urged member including a crank shaft having an operative connection wit said toggle.

19. Closi ,D mechanism for electric switches comprising a s iii movable in one direct. n to close he switch and movable in the opposite direction to rcstress its spring, a normally t ggle holding said spring urged member in springstressed position, said toggle being biased for collapse to release said spring urged member for closing movement, latching means for holding said toggle releasably against collapse, and resetting mechanism for said spring urged member including crank shaft. having a lost motion connection with said toggle by which said toggle can collapse and release said spring urged member for switch closing movement independently of said crank shaft.

20. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to reset it" spring, a normal ly set toggle for holdsaid spring;` urged member releasably in spring stressed position, said toggle being free to collapse in opposite directions, latching means to hold said toggle releasably i se in either direction and resetting means in id sprl-lig nber arranged to se y said toggle and move it alternat-ely into position wherein it is arranged to collapse alterna eiy in cpiiosi'lc di"ections.

21. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to et its spring, a normally set toggle for holding said spring urged member releasably in spring stressed position, said toggle being free to collapse in opposite directions, hatching means to hold said toggle releasably against collapse in either direction, and resettin means for said sprinfr urged member arranged to set said toggle and move it alternately into positions wherein it is arranged to collapse alternately in opposite directions, the connection between said toggle and said crank shaft being loose, whereby the toggle is free to collapse in opposite directions free from said crank shaft.

Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring urged member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to restress its spring, a normalll vset toggle for holding said spring urged member releasably in spring-stressed position, said toggle construct-ed and arranged to collapse alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member for switch closing movementand to be biased alternately for collapse in opposite directions, latching means to hold said toggle releasably in set condition against lli() ill? collapse in either direction, and resetting mechanism for said spring urged member includin' a crankshaftrotatable by successive steps of one-half revolution in the same direction, slotted link providing a lost motion connection between said crank shaft andsaid toggle, and means to operate said crank shaft andsaid link to set' said toggle alternately from either of its two collapsed positions and to bias it for movement for collapse in the opposite direction.

23.- Closing mechanism for electric switch# es comprising a Vspring urged member movable in one direction toV close the switch and movable in the'opposite direction to restress its spring, a normally set toggle for holding said spring urgedmember releasably in spring-stressed position, said toggle constructed and arranged to collapse alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member forV switch closing movement and to be biased alternatelyvfor collapse in opposite` directions, latching means to hold said toggle reieasably in set condition against collapse ineither direction, and resetting mechanism for :said sprl f i Ued member including a crank Vshaft rotatable by successive steps of one-half revolution in the saine direction, a slotted link providing alost motion connection between said crank shaft and f toggle, and means to operate said crank shalt and said link to sev said togge nately from either of its two collapsed positions and tobias it for movement for collapse in the opposite direction, the slot in said link being of such length that the crank shaftY is free from positive driving connection with said link in both ofthe collapsed positions of said toggle. Y,

Y24. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a switch actuating member, means to hold said member releasably in closed position, an operating toggle connected with said actuating member, a spring urged member movable' in one direction to close the switch.

andmovable in the opposite direction to restress its spring, said spring urged member Y having a lost motion connection with said operating toggle by which it can set said operating toggle in movementin' one direction and can move in the opposite direction free from said toggle, a holdingtoggle for said springstressed member adapted tobe setto holdv said spring stressed member releasably in spring stressed position, said Vholding toggle being collapsible alternately in opposite directions to release said spring urged member and also being biased for collapse alternately in alternate directions from set position, latching means to hold said toggle rc.

leasabl' in set condition aoainst'collanse 'in Y ,c i e l either direction, andresetting mechanism for spring urged memberfincluding a crank` shaft whichV is rotatable by successive steps of one-half revolution in the same direction, a

' vnecticn in the opposite direction, said slotted connection providing means by which said toggie can collapse and said spring urged member move to spring urged position free from said crank shaft. A Y 'V 25. Closing mechanism for electric switches comprising a spring Vurged member movable in one direction to close the switch and movable in the opposite direction to restress its spring, restressing mechanism for said spring urged member including an electric motor, means governed by said spring urged member and effective when sai d member is in switch closed position to effect the energization of said motor and the actuation of said restressing mechanism and means governed by said `restressing mechanism and effective when said spring iii-ged member is in spring stressed position to effect the de-energization of said' motor and the stoppage of said restressing mechanism. i Y

26. Closing mechanism for electric switches including a. spring stressed switch closing member, meansk fory immediately resetting said member when it has operated 4preparatory tosubsequent switch closing movement thereof including an electricmotor for operating said member, and a lost-motion conbetween said member and motor arranged to permit the motorto come up to-full speed without load, before operatively mov# ing said member. f 1 Y 2'?. Closing mechanism for electric switche including aA switch operating membermovable between switch closed and open positions, a stored energy device for operating said member'to close the switch, and means to hold said member in switch closed-posi tion and prevent its movement to switch open position until said stored energy device has been reset after an operation thereof.

28. Closing mechanism for electric switches including a switch operating member movable between switch closed and open posi` tions, a stored energy device for operating said member to close the switch including means to reset the device and` restore energy therein, and means to prevent movement of said member to switch open position until said Vstored energy device has been reset.

29. Closing mechanism for electric switches including switch operating member movable between switch clcsed and'v'open positions, a stored energy device for operating said member to close thcswitch having means to reset the device and restore energv therein, means includ-ing a. toggle to hold ,said switch operating member inl switchV closed position,

device when it is reset to operate said toggle and move it into a position to permit said member to move to switch open position.

30. Closing mechanism for electric switches including a switch operating member, actuating means therefor including a normallyset quick-acting stored energy device, slowacting resetting means for said device, and means connecting said resetting means with said stored energy device holding said device from operation until after it has been reset.

31. Closing mechanism for electric switches including a switch actuating member, an operating toggle for said actuating member, spring urged mechanism for straightening said toggle and operating said switch actuating member into switch closed position, and resetting mechanism responsive to the switch closing movement of said actuating member for resetting said spring urged mechanism prior to the movement of said actuating member into a switch open position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH D. WOOD. 

